Antarctica

Question 1

What % is covered by an inland ice sheet

Answer 1

98% holding 90% world’s freshwater

Question 2

Two main ice shelves

Answer 2

Filchner-Ronne between Peninsula and East rapidly shrinking, Ross between West and East is world’s largest and acts as a stabiliser but one part melting 10x faster

Question 3

Prominent mountain range

Answer 3

Ellsworth Mountains have Mt Vinson, highest on continent

Question 4

Dry valleys

Answer 4

Only part without ice, katabatic winds, similar to Mars, cyanobacteria, McMurdo research station

Question 5

Food web

Answer 5

Very small and vulnerable, krill keystone species

Question 6

Position

Answer 6

Beyond 60 degrees S latitude, circumpolar Southern ocean

Question 7

Peninsula

Answer 7

An extension of the Andes mountains with active volcanoes, 5 most active on Ross island

Question 8

History with humans

Answer 8

Major British role: Cook first circumnavigator, Scott and Shackleton investigated

Question 9

Research stations

Answer 9

McMurdo (dry valleys), Volstok (coldest ever -89C), South pole (1235km inland), 18 countries operate year round

Question 10

Southern Ocean

Answer 10

Current drives rest

Question 11

Antarctic Convergence Zone

Answer 11

40km, Subarctic and Southern Ocean meet, massive biodiversity

Question 12

REMA map

Answer 12

Best mapped continent, 8ft accuracy, polar orbiting satellites

Question 13

Antarctic Research Programme

Answer 13

1957/8, 12 countries who made claims on Antarctica, led to permanent research stations, treaty foundations

Question 14

Antarctic Treaty

Answer 14

1959, 54 nations, establishes region as one of peace and science, doesn’t acknowledge claims, no military activity, only substantial scientific activity can join, oversights of environment, tourism, mineral exploitation

Question 15

Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Flora and Fauna

Answer 15

1964, designated protected areas, permits to kill or catch animals, penguin and seal colonies undisturbed, PEP strengthened and regulated against non-native species introduction

Question 16

Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals

Answer 16

1972, prevents killing Ross and Antarctic fur seals, PEP diversified species

Question 17

Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

Answer 17

1982, 29 signatory nations, ensures ecosystem approach in commercial fishing, depleted stocks

Question 18

Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities

Answer 18

1988, suggested mining if all agreed, Greenpeace protests, Australia withdrew, first major ATS threat

Question 19

Protocol on Environmental Protection

Answer 19

1991, natural reserve devoted to peace and science, mineral resource activity ban to 2048, Environmental Impact Assessment, permits to enter ASPAs (not ASMAs but still management plans), prevented marine pollution e.g. oil spill contingency plans, waste management e.g. no open burning

Question 20

United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea

Answer 20

Management of other global commons impacts